Southern Living magazine has chosen east Montgomery's Hampstead community to be part of an exclusive list showcasing the best of life in the South. It's the first neighborhood in the state to land the honor, but community leaders say the best part is what happens next.

As a Southern Living Inspired Community, Hampstead will form an ongoing partnership with the nation's eighth largest monthly, paid magazine. That means putting on joint events, helping to create content for the magazine's nearly 20 million readers and even building a Southern Living model home.

All of that could pay off for more than just Hampstead.

"It sort of puts Montgomery on people's radar," said Harvi Sahota, co-director of design and development at Hampstead. "It will bring attention and a spotlight on things that have done well in the city."

The magazine started its inspired communities program more than a year ago, spotlighting neighborhoods that embrace natural beauty and foster an environment that encourages people to come together. Its other spotlighted communities are in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The Birmingham-based magazine didn't have to look far to find its next honoree.

"We were well aware of Hampstead," Southern Living associate marketing director Kristen Bryan said. "We've known about Hampstead and followed it and appreciated what they're creating in Montgomery.

"We loved that it was in our home state, but it didn't play a role in our decision."

Instead, one of the biggest factors was Hampstead's thriving town center, which opened at the same time as its first homes in 2008. It has hosted everything from annual outdoor dinners to movie nights, and is key to the neighborhood's focus on walkability.

"There's a focus on being able to walk down the street and get a cup of coffee," neighborhood co-director of design and development Anna Lowder said. "We have a school there. There's always activity. That really builds the sense of community."

Lowder said Hampstead is already planning June events alongside Southern Living, and that more is on the way.

"We're excited about the partnership," Bryan said. "We think it will only get better."